Foot fluid dispenser



June 20, 1961 w. H. MissoN FooT FLUID DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 20. 1959 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM H. M/SSON A 7' TORNE VS June 20, 1961 w. H. MxssON 2,988,754

FOOT FLUID DISPENSER Filed July 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM MISSO/V 2,988,754 FOOT FLUID DISPENSER William H. Misson, Los Altos, Calif., assignor to Onorx,`

Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Filed July 20, 1959, Ser. No. 828,114 7 Claims. (Cl. 4-182) My ,invention relates to devices especially adapted to dispensel a liquid material desi-gned for application to the human foot for the purpose of inhibiting the proliferation of microorganisms and is particularly concerned with a device yfor applying predetermined amounts of the inhibiting liquid. While various different fluids are useful in this field, it hasbeen found that certain liquids of a saline or alkaline nature are particularly effective and helpful.

Heretofore, these liquids have been applied in various rather elementary ways, without particularly taking into account the nature of the liquid and its tendency to deposit salts in crystalline form.

In large industrial installations, it is customary to provide a pan containing a sponge rubber mat. Treatment liquid is contained in the pan to a depth approximately to cover the sponge rubber mat. Successive users step into the pan and tread on the sponge rubber mat suiflciently so that the liquid comes into contact with the skin of the yfeet with fair force. This achieves a relatively good coverage but has numerous drawbacks.

' It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved foot fluid dispenser usable with saline liquids.

1 Another object of the invention is to provide a foot lluid dispenser affording excellent coverage of the feet ofthe user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a foot uid dispenser which is economical of liquid.

, A still further object of the invention is to provide a foot uid Vdispenser having relatively simple and longlived, trouble-free mechanism.

rv,A stillfurther object of the invention is to provide a foot uid ldispenser which can be economically made and serviced.`

A still further objectof the -invention is to provide a footfluid vdispenser of satisfactory sanitary characteristics.y Y

. Another object of the invention is to provide a foot uid dispenser which can be utilized effectively over a protracted period even though subject to abuse and rough treatment.

. Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiment of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

HFIGURE 1 isa plan .of a lfoot fluid dispenser constructure in accordance with the invention, certain parts being removed lfrom the structure illustrated in the upper half of the figure. 1 C

FIGURE 2 is, a cross-section, the planes of which are indicated .by the lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1. i p

u FIGURES is a' detailed cross-section, the plane of which is'indicated by the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, the showing'b'eing to a considerably enlarged scale.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated bythe line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, the rshowing being to a-somewhat enlarged scale.

FIGURE` 5 is a side elevation of the foot fluid dispenser pursuant'to the invention. 'p

While the device according Ato the invention can be physically embodied in a large number of variant forms, it -has .been made quite successfully in the form shown herein. In this instance, the deviceis especially designedV 'it ...t

lCC

ity and having a tendency to deposit alkaline crystals upon evaporation. For that reason, most, if not all, of the materials of the dispenser are those which are substantially inert to the effects of the liquid so that they have a long and satisfactory working life without being substantially attacked or deteriorated.

In the preferred form of device, there is provided a base or frame 6 not only serving as a support but also forming part of a reservoir 7. The base 6 is preferably fabricated of molded rubber or rubber-like material and includes a planar bottom plate 8 having an external, peripheral flange 9 extending entirely therearound. The base 6 likewise includes a peripheral, upstanding, confining wall 11 so that, in eifect, a container or pan is provided within which liquid to a predetermined level 12 can readily be confined. There is thus alforded a combined -base or support and reservoir. The base or support can also be considered as a frame or container.

Contoured substantially to t over and telescope with the base 6 is a cover 15 likewise formed of suitable inert material, such as an impregnated ber glass reinforced plastic, selected not only for its resistance to cor- The eral bead 16 designed to iit tightly against the liange 9 ofV the base when the parts are assembled. Adjacent the lbead 16, the lower peripheral wall 17 surrounding the cover is designed to make a close iit when assembled with the adjacent wall of the base. The two parts can readily be telescoped together and secured, for example, by an adhesive, in order to effectuate a permanent closure which is likewise liquid tight. Under some circumstances, the cover 15 and the base 6 are merely fastened together with removable fasteners, with a suitable gasket, if desired, being interposed between the flange 9 and the bead 16.

The cover 15 includes a substantially horizontal, planar top wall 18 extending nearly the 'full width of the device. This is of a suflicient extent to accommodate easily the length and width of the users two feet. The planar wall v18 extends 4from substantially the front wall of the device about two-thirds of the way toward the rear wall thereof and is spaced a short distance above the prede-4 termined liquid level 12.

As it approaches the rearward portion of the device, the planar wall 18V merges with an upstanding, transverse wall 19, itself merging with a dome top 21. Toward the rearward portion of the machine, the top 21 curves smoothly downwardly until it joins the bead 16. The dome top 21 extends transversely throughout substantially the width of the device and acts as a hollow cross beam for stiffness and reinforcement of the top wall.

"Adjacent the central rearward portion of the dome top 21, an indentation 22 is provided. This surrounds an upstanding collar 23, opening into the interior of the reservoir 7 and formed integrally with a top wall 25 thereof. 'Designed to slip`over the exterior portion of the collar 23 is a cap 24 having an interiorly iluted flange 26 and a cover 27 radially ribbed on its underside. A plurality of tortuous air passageways are thus provided extending beneath the lowermost portion of the ilange 26, up between the flutes of the ange 26, transversely between the ribs of the cover 27 and then through the collar 23 to the reservoir 7. Air can readily flow into and out of the reservoir 7 through this tortuous path, the direction of iiow depending on the phase of use of the device and the ambient temperature changes.

Anyflow into the device is substantially dust free because of the tortuous nature of the air inlet passages and because of their relatively small ilow area. A fastening v d chain 31 serves asa tether .and prevents loss of the cap Patented June 20, 1961 3 24. When the cap 24 is removed by lifting, the collar 23 serves as a liquid filling opening so that the reservoir 7 can be supplied with theappropriate liquid substan,

tially to the level 12. If desired, a float indicator 33 can be provided in the central portion of the wall 19 to serve as a showing of the level of liquid established within the reservoir 7.

Pursuant to the invention, means are provided for applying the liquid `from therreservoir 7 to the feet of a user and since the device is substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal, vertical, central plane, a description of one side of the device applies equally to the other.

The planar top wall 18 is provided with a transverse, upstanding rib 36 conveniently molded in the wall itself and serving as a support for a pivot axle 37 which extends from both ends of the rib 36. Preferably, one or more upstanding supports 38 are molded integrally with the base 6 and extend upwardly into abutment with the lower face of the top wall 18 just beneath the transverse rib 36. Downward pressure on the rib 36 is transmitted directly to the base 6without imposing excessive force on the top wall 18 itself.

Pivotally interengaged with the projecting ends of the axle 37 is a unitary treadle 41. This is conveniently molded of a suitable, somewhat fiexible plastic and has a transverse heel portion 42 from which extend forwardly projecting ribs 43 with intervening voids 44. Bridges 46 extend between certain of the ribs so that a substantial treadle or pedal is formed, yet one through which liquid can pass rather freely in both directions. The heel portion 42 is grooved to permit the runoff of excess liquid and is substantially continuous for stiffness.

The side walls 47, particularly of the heel portion, extend downwardly, as does the forward wall 48 of this portion, so as to serve substantially as a stop or guard to prevent the unwarranted introduction of any foreign material between the top of the pedal 41 and the top wall 18. Preferably, the under surface of the pedal just above the transverse rib 36 is provided with an interposed layer 49 of a good anti-friction material so that the pedal, although bearing most or all of the weight of a user, can nevertheless be readily rocked about the axis of the axle 37. Treadle motion is between an upper extreme position, as shown in FIGURE 2, and a lower extreme position in which the forward end of the pedal is in abutment with a transverse step 51 molded into the cover 15 at the rearward end of the top wall 18.

The motion of the pedal 41 between its two extreme positions is utilized to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid from the reservoir 7 onto the foot of the user occupying the pedal 41. For that reason, the top wall 18, beneath the forward portion of the pedal 41 and substantially symmetrical therewith, is provided with a cuplike depression 61 including a circular bottom wall 62 and a cylindrical encompassing wall 63.

Adapted to telescope or fit snugly within the cup 61 is a fiexible bellows 64 conveniently formed of rubber-like material and including a dome-like top 65, a deformable peripheral wall 66 and an inturned bottom flange 67. Also molded with the bellows 64 is a thickened central portion 68 merging with a central boss 69. A helical coil spring 71 at one end fits within the boss 69 and at its lower end rests freely on the subjacent surface of the bottom wall 62. Pressure exerted by the spring on the Wall 62 is transmitted directly to the base 6 by an integrally formed, upstanding support 73 molded in the material of the base. The upper part of the bellows 64 is in substantial abutment with some of the bridges 46 and with some of the ribs 43 of the pedal 41.

Upon depression of the pedal, the bellows 64 is collapsed, or at least partially collapsed, and the spring 71 is compressed. When weight is removed from the pedal, the spring 71 is effective along with the resilient nature o'ftheV bellows to restore the pedal 41 to its initial, upper extreme position.

The bellows 64 is intended to serve as an air pump and metering device. For that reason, there is provided an inlet port 76 in the bottom wall 62 of the device, the port 76 being of sufficient size to receive the end of an air inlet tube 77. This extends through the reservoir 7 and turns upwardly to open just beneath the dome wall 21, being held in place by a suitable fastening strap 78.

As especially shown in FIGURE 4, the bellows 64 in one portion of the bottom flange 67 is especially provided with an inwardly extending flap valve 79. Due to the normal resilience of the material of the bellows, the fiap valve 79 tends to overlie and cover the inlet port 76. The bellows is held in the proper rotated position by a key integral with the bellows and projecting into a locating hole 80 in the bottom wall 62. 'Ihe tendency of the flap valve 79 to remain closed is augmented whenever the pressure within the bellows 64 is increased above that of the atmosphere. When, however, after deformation or compression, the resilient bellows returns to its expanded state, partly under the influence of the spring 71, the pres-Y sure within the bellows falls below that of the atmosphere. Atmospheric air from beneath the dome 21, having passed through the air cleaner cap 24, travels through the tube 77 and makes up the air content of the bellows as its volume increases to normal.

When the bellows is subsequently collapsed under the influence of the lowering pedal 41, the flap valve 79 is again urged into its tightly closed position and does not permit the escape of any air. The otherwise trapped air travels outwardly from Ythe bellows through both of a pair of discharge tubes 81 and 82. At one end, these are fixed in ports 83 and 84 in the bottom 62 of the cup 61.

Each of the tubes 81 and 82 is like the other so that a description of one applies to both. For example, the tube 81 (FIGURES 2 and 3) extends through the reservoir 7 and is inserted into one end of a nozzle fitting 86 firmly fastened in the transverse wall 19. Within the tube 81 there is provided a rigid sleeve 87 extending into a bore 88 within the fitting 86. The axis 89 of the bore 88, which is also substantially the axis of the adjacent portion of the tube 81 and of the sleeve 87, is directed substantially horizontally toward or at the adjacent portion of the pedal 41. Since there are two such nozzle fittings for each pedal, they are spaced across the width thereof in optimum spraying positions.

Merging with the bore 88 in the fitting 86 is an aspirating tube 91 firmly fixed at its .upper end and extending downwardly, as shown in FIGURE 2, to a point near the bottom of the reservoir 7. The upper end of the aspirating tube 91 is disposed near the downstream or outlet end of the sleeve 87 in the zone within which the cross-sectional area for fiow along the axis 89 rather suddenly increases.

When the pedal 41 is depressed, air is expelled from the bellows 64 and is driven through the tubes 81 and 82 with substantial velocity. As the air enters the sleeve 87, its velocity is increased even more so that there is, in effect, an air jet issuing into the bore 88. This high velocity jet induces a low pressure zone at the outlet of the aspirating tube 91. Atmospheric pressure effective upon the liquid within the reservoir 7 forces some of that liquid upwardly through the aspirating tube 91. The liquid emerging from the upper end of the tube 91 is shattered into myriads of fine droplets by the high velocity air jet.

The shattered droplets are confined within the remaining part of the bore 88 so that, in fact, there emerges from the fitting 86 and Ifrom the face of the wall 19 a finely atomized jet or spray of droplets having a strong directional component toward and over the pedal 41 and toward and over the foot of the user standing thereon.

Since the users foot travels with the pedal from the' tially theentire downward traverse of the pedal, there 'isa continuous spray of liquid droplets ejected over the users foot, first;` contacting Ethe fbottom.,portion` thereof through 'thedpeni'ngsv in the pedal andallyfspraying over the upp'portio'n. thereoffas thfpedl approaches its downward limit. I l

samstag 'th-1 "edivlmq-sfgth, bellows 1654 fthe depression thereof from extrerr-eposition p to the other @jects-a message gf.. air through the 1102216 816,@ fe; frrpsrtiqnately. measure@ 1, Qr, z, predetermined amount of liquidwis thus ejected from the opening of the bore 88 for each motion of the pedal 41. While the amount of ejected liquid varies slightly from time to time, depending on the level of the liquid in the reservoir, depending upon the speed of pedal depression land depending on some atmospheric conditions, there is substantially a uniform amount of liquid discharged lfor each comparable actuation of the pedal. lIn fact, two quite uniform streams of spray are ejected onto each pedal and to the foot of the user thereon.

In practice, the user in standing upon the two treadles 41 pumps them alternately and with only one or a very few strokes quickly coats both of his feet with an adequate supply of liquid treating material but without any substantial loss or waste thereof. Whatever excess there may be simply drains harmlessly over the outside of the apparatus and does not and cannot mix with any of the fresh material within the reservoir.

After the pedal 4-1 has been completely depressed and the bellows 64 has been substantially completely discharged of air, the spring 71 restores the pedal 41 to its initial position. During this time, air is induced through the tube 77 and through the then open flap valve 79. Also, some air is drawn in through the opening 88, but this, because of the narrow dimension of the sleeve 87, is relatively small in amount. It is sufficient, however, to produce a slight back flow and to prevent dribbling and dripping from the opening 88.

The movable parts of the device subject to wear and malfunction are primarily the pedals 41. These can easily be replaced simply by springing them slightly and removing them from the axle 37. Also, the bellows 64 is readily removed, :after the pedals have been detached, simply by lifting them out of their cups 61. The springs 71 are then likewise accessible for replacement. Since the flap Valve 79 is part of the bellows, it is automatically replaced and renewed when the bellows is changed.

Pursuant to the invention, therefore, there has been provided a foot uid dispenser effective to supply measured quantities of sprayed liquid onto the feet of the user actuating the mechanism. The device is mechanically simple and is not deleteriously elected by the nature .of the liquid being dispensed and can readily be assembled, disassembled and repaired or serviced with a minimum amount of difficulty. 'I'he air utilized is obtained in substantially clean condition and the liquid handled is protected from its surroundings and can be used but once. An improved and superior product has been provided.

. Whatis claimed is:

l. A foot uid dispenser comprising a base, means on said base for holding a liquid, means for admitting air to said liquid holding means rabove said liquid, a frame on said base, a bellows disposed on said frame, a treadle, means for hinging said treadle on said frame in abutment with said bellows, a spray nozzle disposed on said frame to discharge toward said treadle, a conduit extending from said liquid holding means to said spray nozzle, a tube extending from said bellows to said spray nozzle, means forming yan air inlet from said liquid holding means above said liquid to said bellows, and a check nave in said air inl-:t and opening into said bellows.

2. A foot uid dispenser comprising a liquid tank having a top wall, means forming an air inlet to said tank, a treadle, means for mounting said treadle on said top wall, a spray nozzle, means for mounting said spray nozzle on said wall in a direction to discharge toward said ,treadle, `a pump, `means for mounting -said pump on the upperl side of-said .top wall. in operatingvabutment with saidtfreadle, means including an inlet checkvvalve for conducting air from within said tank to-said pump, and means including said pump for discharging air and liquid from said tank through vsaid nozzle.

y 3. A foot vlluid dispenser comprising means forming a combined support and reservoir and including a planartop walbmerg'ing with an upstanding transverse wall, means including nozzle fittings in said upstanding transverse wall for directing a stream of fluid substantially transversely across the top of said planar top wall, a pedal movably mounted on said top wall remote from said upstanding transverse wall and terminating adjacent said upstanding transverse wall to sweep vertically across said upstanding transverse Wall and movable from a position above to a position below the path of said stream, fluid conducting means connecting said reservoir and said stream directing means, and means operated by movement of said pedal for discharging uid from said reservoir through said stream directing means.

4. A foot fluid dispenser comprising a substantially enclosed hollow base forming a liquid reservoir, means forming a tortuous air inlet to said liquid reservoir, a bellows air pump mounted on said base, a pedal, means for pivotally mounting said pedal on said base in abutment with said bellows air pump, means for conducting inlet air from said reservoir into said bellows, a spray nozzle mounted on said base and directed toward said pedal, means for conducting outlet air from said bellows air pump to said spray nozzle, and means for conducting liquid from said reservoir to said spray nozzle for admixture with said outlet air therein.

5. A foot fluid dispenser comprising a reservoir base adapted to contain liquid, a pair of foot treadles mounted on said base, nozzles on said base directed toward said treadles, means for supplying said nozzles with liquid from said reservoir, spring-return air bellows on said base, means for actuating said bellows by said treadles, means for conducting air through said reservoir base to said air bellows, and means for conducting air expressed by said bellows to flow through said nozzles in aspirating relation with said liquid supplying means.

6. A foot fluid dispenser comprising a base, means forming a top wall on said base and having a cup-like depression therein, an upstanding transverse wall merging with said top wall adjacent said depression, a exible bellows intertting with said depression, means on said base for holding liquid, a nozzle mounted on said transverse wall and disposed to discharge in a substantially horizontal path above said topffwall and across said bellows, means for conducting liquid from said holding means to said nozzle, means for admitting atmospheric inlet air beneath said top wall, means for conducting said inlet air from beneath said top wall to said depression, an inlet check valve controlling air ow through said inlet air conducting means, means for conducting outlet air from said depression to said nozzle, and a treadle on said upper wall in abutment with said bellows and having a part movable from a position above said path to a position below said path.

7. A foot uid dispenser comprising a base having an upstanding peripheral wall and eiective to hold liquid at a predetermined level, a cover having a top wall and a depending peripheral wall overlying and engaging said upstanding wall and with said base forming a substantially enclosed chamber, means for admitting air to said chamber, means on said top wall forming a depression, a exible bellows engaging said depression forming means, a treadle, means for mounting said treadle between the ends thereof on said top wall and with a portion thereof in operative abutment with said bellows and for movement between an upper position and a lower position, a nozzle, means for mounting said nozzle on said cover adjacent one end of said treadle at a height A, 7 Y 8 between `said upper and lower positions of said treadle Refei'ences Cited in the file of this patent and to discharge'toward said end of said treadle, means for condueting liquid from said base to said nozzle, means UNITED STATES PATENTS for conducting air from said base above said predeter t v2,267,169 Rast Dec. 23, 1941 mined level to said depression forming means, an inlet 5 2,274,739. Rast Mar. 3, 1942 check valve for controlling inlet ilow through said air 2,275,666 Wilson Mar. 1Q, 1942 conducting means, and an air conducting tube extend- V2,717,556v Bartoo Sept. 13, 195,5

ing to sid nozzle from said depression forming means. 2,896,840 Hendry July, 28, '1959 

